Duncan sat impatiently at his table and watched the entrance. The white turtleneck sweater he wore showcased his considerable muscles, and across the room a nubile young diner smiled her appreciation of the figure he presented.

The expression was lost on Duncan, whose gaze was fixed upon the door. His earlier encounter with Jessica and Bonnie had been a disaster. Duncan was anxious to repair the damage his temper had caused.

He would have preferred to meet in the suite where Jessica and Bonnie were staying. The smaller setting would have served for a more intimate atmosphere. But for that very reason Jessica responded to his proposal with a resounding ‘no'. Until their young daughter grew comfortable with him once more, Jessica's hotel suite would be off-limits, a place where Bonnie could feel secure.

They were originally scheduled to meet the day before, but Jessica had called and rescheduled. Bonnie had had an upsetting first day in New York, and needed the opportunity to relax the rest of the evening.

It was no thanks to him that his little girl had been upset. Jessica did not blame him aloud, but her attitude was clear. Duncan tried to explain that the sight of her companion had thrown him off. But even as the words left his mouth, he realized how lame they were.

Still, Jessica had consented to lunch without him. Perhaps things were not as cozy between them as it seemed.

Duncan's eyes lit up as Jessica and Bonnie appeared framed in the doorway. Jessica wore a fitted blue two-piece suit that followed nicely her shapely form. Bonnie also wore blue, a beautiful lace-edged dress which Duncan recognized as the Barbara Ryan Original he had had commissioned.

With a warm smile on his face, Duncan slid his chair back from the table and stood waiting for his family to approach.

Oblivious to the stares of appreciative male diners, Jessica led her small daughter across the crowded dining area to the place where Duncan stood waiting. As always, Jessica was struck by his rugged good looks. His white turtleneck hugged the muscles of his chest and contrasted nicely with his dark hair and mustache. Almost clinically she assessed Duncan as they moved toward him. His gaze remained unblinkingly on them, and a small, intimate smile played about his mouth.

Jessica did not miss the way Bonnie's fingers tightened around hers as they neared Duncan. She returned the slight pressure and smiled down at her daughter reassuringly. After Duncan's earlier misstep, Jessica knew that his first priority would be to remove the fear he'd unwittingly caused in Bonnie. For no matter what the situation between them, Jessica knew that Duncan truly loved his daughter.

"Good evening," Duncan greeted them calmly. "You both look lovely." He leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on Jessica's cheek. He then bent down and placed a gentle kiss on the top of his daughter's head. "May I?" he asked his young daughter, after pulling out the booster chair placed strategically between the two adult chairs.

Bonnie searched his face for a moment then nodded quickly. She allowed her father to lift her and gently place her in the chair. Still wary where Duncan was concerned, she cautiously gauged his every move.

Jessica observed their interaction with sadness. How had her family come to this? She had been filled with such hope for her marriage. And it had all fallen apart in the blink of an eye. After weathering storm after storm throughout their courtship and engagement, Duncan had chosen to walk away from her. And Bonnie.

The ultimate indignity had come with Duncan's explanation of his decision. He had chosen not to stay with her because she was 'strong'. As if somehow her strength made her less deserving of his love. How ironic it would be if the 'flaw' Duncan used as a reason to leave ended up being the 'strength' that made Stefan Cassadine stay.

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